News

Celtic glory is standard issue

European run meant league form often failed to sparkle

CELTIC will have to turn winning into an artform to amuse themselves in Rangers’ continued absence from the Premier League. While Motherwell’s challenge this season, impressively maintained at Tannadice on Friday night, has kept them honest and extended their inevitable retention of the title beyond the split, the likelihood is that it will be clinched this afternoon at Celtic Park.

But Lennon’s side have fallen short of their own standards this term. In Neil Lennon’s first season as manager, 2010-11, they took 92 points to narrowly lose out to Walter Smith’s Rangers and last season they reached 93 and clinched the title before the split after Rangers were deducted 10 points for going into administration.

The professionals often argue you “can only win the league you are in” or “beat what is in front of you” but, as in golf, you are competing against yourself as well as the rest